TWO of the best backhands in world tennis meet in the quarterfinals of the 2015 Wimbledon tournament with French Open champion Stan Wawrinka facing off against world number 20 Richard Gasquet.

Wawrinka, currently $1.45 with William Hill, breezed through his fourth round match up against David Goffin, winning in just two hours and 23 minutes.

The 30-year-old Swiss hit 44 winners on his way to victory, and now becomes just the 24th man in the open era to reach multiple quarter finals at every Grand Slam.

Despite dropping a break in the third set, Wawrinka quickly re-established his ascendency in the match, and stated after his victory that he did not feel at full capacity at different stages throughout.

“It was a tough one,” Wawrinka said.

“I’m really happy with the victory, especially in three sets. I wasn’t moving great. I was a little bit soft in general. But I’m happy to get through. It’s an important victory for me.”

Richard Gasquet, the $2.75 outsider with William Hill, had to do it the hard way in the fourth round, facing off against the man that sent him out of the Championships last year in Nick Kyrgios.

The Frenchman looked to be in control for the entirety of the matchup, despite losing a third set tiebreak, and claimed victory in just under three hours.

The 20th seed believes getting past the mental and physical barrier of the fourth round at Wimbledon will hold him in good stead coming into the business end of the tournament.

“I’m very happy to be back in the quarter-finals,” said Gasquet.

“I lost many times in a Grand Slam in a fourth round. It’s very good for me to be here in the quarter-finals. Now we will see what will happens. I am feeling good.”

The two have only met twice in their respective 14 years on the tour, with the men splitting the wins at one apiece.

This will be the first time the men play each other on the grass.

Wawrinka is looking to progress further than he ever has at Wimbledon; with last year’s quarterfinal finish his best ever showing in London, while Gasquet is looking to match his 2007 effort of making the semi-finals at the All England Club.

They both have everything to play for and are in fantastic form leading in, with the match promising to be one of the best of the tournament.

Match predictions:

Winner: Stan Wawrinka– $1.45

Correct score: Stan Wawrinka 3-1 – $3.65 with William Hill

Safe bet: Stan Wawrinka wins the first set – $1.52

Two of the best backhands and two great playmakers meet at the Quarterfinal stage of the Championships with the reigning French Open champion Stan Wawrinka facing off against the crafty veteran Richard Gasquet.

Gasquet’s stunning return to form in the twilight of his career has him dreaming of winning a maiden Grand Slam that has eluded the Frenchman for his otherwise sparkling career.

The 20th seed Gasquet will have his work cut out for him counteracting the heavy hitting and boldness of Wawrinka, with the dual Grand Slam winner blasting his opponents off the court if they are not up to the challenge.

The Frenchman does have good form leading in against power hitters, with the fourth round victory over Nick Kyrgios underlining Gasquet’s ability to pick apart shot makers and put them off their game.

Wawrinka has shown throughout the 2015 season that he is up to almost any challenge.

The Swiss number four displayed that emphatically just over a month ago, beating world number one Novak Djokovic on his way to the French Open title – one of only three men to beat the Serbian this year.

In the end it will come down to whether or not Wawrinka can find his rhythm and maintain his current form.

If the world number four can continue his impressive Grand Slam form and find the range early, he will be almost impossible to stop; not just in this match but in the overall tournament.

Wawrinka should progress through to the semi-finals for the first time in his career at Wimbeldon.